In 1920s Bagheria, Giuseppe 'Peppino' Torrenuova works as a shepherd to financially help his poor family. Over the next fifty years, Giuseppe's life, as well as the life of the village, is observed. Giuseppe grows up, joins the Communist Party, marries a local girl, has children, and forges a political career for himself.

Francesco Scianna
as Peppino

Margareth Madè
as Mannina

Lina Sastri
as Tana

Ángela Molina
as Sarina adulta

Nicole Grimaudo
as Sarina

Salvatore Ficarra
as Nino Terranuova

Valentino Picone
as Luigi Scalia

Gaetano Aronica
as Ciccio Terranuova

Marco Iermanò
as Pietro da Ragazzo

Lollo Franco
as don Giacinto